Anchor for artificial teeth



G. W RAMSEY AND G. E. FRITZ. ANCHOR FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-18.19l6.

1,321, 1 26. Patented Nov. 11,1919.

GEORGE W. RAMSEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND GUSTAV E. FRITZ,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ANCHOR FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 31919.

Applicationfiled March 18, 1916. Serial No. 85,140.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. RAMsnY and GUSTAV E. FRITZ, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Washing ton, District of Columbia, and Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Anchors for Artificial Teeth, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial teeth and more specifically to anchors for teeth.

The principal object of this invention is an anchor adapted to transform a vulcanite type of headed baked in pin or anchor in such manner as to enable the same to be used for bridge work.

A further object of this invention is to provide a member adapted to cooperate with the vulcanite type of headed baked in anchor pin to adapt said pin to cooperate with a cup constructed to be set in a brid e.

Another and still further object of tie present invention is an adapter constructed to interlock with an anchor pin of the headed baked in type for vulcanite work and also interlock with a suitable cup constructed to be set in a proper metal backing.

A still further object of the present in-. vention is to provide a device for cooperating with a plurality of close and adjacent headed anchor pins to enable the teeth to be manipulated for fitting and finally to be anchored within a suitable backing.

A still further object of the present invention includes the provision of an intermediate member between an artificial tooth anchor and a suitable cup wherein the intermediate member is constructed to interlock with both the anchor embedded in the tooth and with the cup, which is adapted to be secured in a suitable backing.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide suitable interlocking means between artificial teeth anchor pins and a retaining cup, and wherein the intermediate members and the cups are formed in pairs of varying sizes, each pair being designated by corresponding characters to indicate cooperation between the various members of the pair.

Other and further objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part be pointed out hereinafter, in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and wherein like characters are used to represent like parts throughout the several views thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the elements separated to more clearly illustrate the relation and cooperation of the parts. Fig. 2 is a view showing portions in section to more clearly illustrate the relationship of the parts in assembled position. Fig. 3 is also a detail view showing portions of the device in section and look ing directly at the back of the tooth. Fig. 4 is a view showing the back and the front of the intermediate interlocking member. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line AA, Fig. 3.- Fi 61 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 ut illustrating a single pin adapter of the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the relation of the adapter and an anchor pin of the single pin type wherein the adapter has not been seated over the pin. Fig. 8 illustrates a single pin adapter seated over the pin and showing the relationship of the cap to the adapter. F 9 illustrates various types of caps which may be conveniently used. Fig. 10 is a view more clearly showing the recessed, or under cut locking groove in the caps.

In the art of dentistry relating more particularly to artificial teeth, heretofore there has been more or less of a distinct line between artificial teeth adapted for vulcanite work and artificial teeth provided with anchors adapted for bridge work. The type of anchor heretofore common in the art in use for one of these purposes was not ordinarily well adapted for use for the other purpose. This necessarily required dentists to carry in stock two distinct types of teeth. Also in the vulcanite work the vulcanite or backing was arranged to support the tooth so as to leave the bite of the tooth uncovered by backing whereby the tooth would be more or less translucent and therefore more closely simulate the natural tooth. The desirability of producing a tooth capable of either vulcanite or bridge work, and in either or both uses have the bite not covered by backing, has long been appreciated but so far as we are aware this problem has not heretofore been successfully solved.

The present invention enables a dentist to utilize the commercial form of tooth having baked in headed pins designed for vulcanite work, for the ordinary tooth face and particularly for bridge work. The present invention includes a construction wherein the tooth may or may not have the bite of the tooth covered by backing of solder. Preferably the bite is not covered so that the translucency of the porcelain tooth is not impaired. Where the backing of the tooth stops at the rubber line it will be noted that the biting forces against the bite of the tooth are considerably offset from the anchor and that metal to metal anchorage is important; tot-his end the adapter is constructed to have a rigid interlocking engagement with the anchor pins and also with the retaining cup which is constructed to be seated in a suitable backing. This construction provides a secure and firm anchorage capable of withstanding the leverage forces above specified.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 1 inclusive the commercial type of porcelain tooth 1 adapted for vulcanite work is shown as being provided with baked in headed anchor pins 2, which are well known in the art. An arch shaped adapter 1, comprising a pair of bars 5 of a sufiicient thickness to permit of filing in order that the bars may fit tightly be neath the heads 6 of the pins 2, is adapted to be fitted over and securely embrace the pins. The bars 5 are joined together by side walls which are connected by arch shaped ribs 7 which are sufficiently resilient to normally hold the bars 5 to be nearer together than the normal diameter of the body of the anchor pins 2, thus insuring a snug fit when the parts are assembled. The adapter 4c when slid endwise over the pins 2, after the bars 5 have been filed to proper thickness, completely fills the spaces beneath the heads of the pins and the bars 5 are clamped tightly against the sides of the pins. Thus it will be seen that the pins are securely engaged by metal to metal contact with the adapter. The outer edges of the arched ribs 7 are formed to constitute slightly rounded ridges 8 and the end ribs 9 of the adapter are sprung outwardly and also act in the nature of ridges as will be presently explained.

Suitable cups or caps 10 are provided to cooperate with the adapters a. Since the distance between the centers of the anchor pins varies with substantially each tooth, and since it is desirable to have the adapters 4 substantially the same length as the overall length measured across the centers of the heads of the pins, it is necessary to make up adapters and cups of different lengths. Each length of adapter is provided with a cap having inside dimensions which correspond with the greatest dimensions ofthe adapter so that adapters and caps are constructed in pairs so far as length is 00 cerned. In order to facilitate the selection of proper caps for the adapters, both the cap and the adapter of a pair are designated, as at 11, by suitable corresponding characters. The entire inside wall of the cup or cap is slightly under-cut as at 12, Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 10 to engage with the ridges and end ribs 9 of adapters. 7

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be noted that when the adapter 1 is forced over the heads of the pins 2 and the cap 10 placed in position over the adapter, the ends of the bars 5 contact with the inner wall of the caps (see Fig. 2) thus providing a metal to metal fit and engagement. It will also be noted that the sides of the bars 5 substantially fill the space between the body of the pins 2 and the side walls of the caps 10 (see Fig. 5). It is further to be noted that the ridges S are in engagement with the under-cut recesses 12 in such manner that the cup is snapped in position on or over the adapter (Figs. 5 and 6). It is also to be noted that by reference to Fig. 2, that the end ribs 9 of the adapter are likewise in engagement with the under-cut recess 12 and thus cooperate to hold the parts together under metal retention. In order that the parts may be manipulated the resilient parts of the adapter are sufficiently yielding and springy to permit the adapter and cup to readily snap together, somewhat in the manner of a glove snap button. The parts are retained in position merely by metal retention so long as any fitting is necessary. After the cups 12 are soldered in position on the backing 14 and suitably supported by a re-inforcing wall of solder as at 15, the cups are then filled with suitable cement, well known in the art, and the adapters are forced into the cups. The cement passes through the openings 16 between the ribs 7 and fills the entire space between all the metal parts. When the cement hardens after filling all the spaces between the metal parts, there is no space into which the parts may yield to effect movement necessary for disengagement therefore the metal to metal engagement becomes rigid and fixed and the teeth are permanently anchored in place.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 which illustrate more particularly a single pin adapter, the principle utilized is substantially the same as with the double pin adapter. The single pin adapter before being placed in position over the pin comprises a top portion 17 to which are integrally attached a plurality of side members 18. These side members are all provided on their inner ends with lugs or ledges 19 which are adapted to fit under and fill the space between the head of the pin 2 and the body of the tooth 1. In this form it is over the pin. This may be accomplished by slightly spreading the side members 18, and snapping the device over the head of the pin. This member is provided at its upper edge with an annular rib 20. WVith this form of adapter a single cap or cup 21 is used and is also under-cut as at 12 shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 8 the cups or caps may or may not be provided With flanges 22.

By referring to Figs. 2 and 5 it will be noted that this tooth in its preferred form is supported upon a bridge wherein the metal backing does not extend beyond the rubber line 2 1 of the tooth. This artificial tooth anchor consequently is capable of supporting a tooth in such manner as to prevent losin the translucency of the tooth thereby securing what is known in the art as an esthetic tooth.

Since it is possible to vary the specific physical embodiment of our invention without departing from the scope thereof, we de sire it to be understood that the particular forms herein disclosed are used in an illus trative and not in a limiting sense.

What we claim is 1. In a device of the character described, an adapter comprising a device to connect a cup secured in a backing with a headed baked in pin and constructed to receive and engage the headed anchor pin for artificial teeth, said adapter being provided with a protruding portion on its exterior surface, in combination with a cup constructed to fit over said adapter, said cup being recessed to engage and receive the protruding por- 'tion on said adapter.

2. An article of the class described comprising an adapter a device to connect a cup secured in a backing with a headed baked in pin and having portions constructed to engage and embrace the head of said anchor pin, a resilient protruding ridge upon the exterior of said adapter, and openings provided to permit cement to flow to the interior of said adapter, in combination. with a cup constructed to receive and embrace said adapter.

As an article of manufacture an adapter adapted to comprise a connector between a headed baked in pin and a suitable cup and constructed to embrace and engage the headed anchor pin, said adapter comprising members extending beneath the head of the pin and a top portlon constructed to arch over said pin, said adapter being provided with openings to permit cement to flow into and fill the spaces between said pin and said adapter.

4. As an article of manufacture an adapter constructed to engage and interlock with a headed anchor pin, said adapter including members constructed to fit tightly beneath the head of said pin, said members being connected and supported by resilient portions of metal whereby said adapter may comprise a connector between said pin and a suitable cup secured in a backing.

5. As an article of manufacture an adapter for vulcanite type of anchor pins and constructed to inclose the head of the anchor pin adapted for vulcanite work, said adapter comprising members fitting beneath the head of said pin, and a resilient connec- 'tion supporting the members which fit under the head of the pin whereby said adapter may comprise an extension of said pin which is capable of metal to metal retention with a suitable backing.

6. A device of the character described comprising in combinationa porcelain faca headed anchor pin of the vulcanite work type embedded in said facing, an adapter formed of resilient material for inclosing said pin, said adapter being provided with openings to permit cement to flow in the spaces between said adapter and said pin, a cup in which said adapter is constructed to be anchored, and a suitable reinforced backing supporting and inclosing said cup.

7. In an artificial tooth in combination, a porcelain facing, an anchor pin partly embedded in said porcelain facing, a head upon the protruding end of said anchor pin, an adapter constructed to fit under and inclose said head, and a cup constructed to receive said adapter, said adapter being formed of resilient material and comprising a connector between said anchor pin and a cup,

8. In an artificial tooth in combination a said adapter, said adapter forming an extension of said pin and interlocked to said pin to comprise a connector with said cup.

9. As an article of manufacture a cup constructed to form a receptacle to receive and inclose artificial tooth anchors, said cup being provided on its interior surface with depressions adapted to receive interlocking projections carried by an artificial tooth anchor.

10. As an article of manufacture a cup for receiving artificial tooth anchoring means, said cup being provided with an annular groove for interlocking purposes upon its interior surface adjacent the bottom of the cup.

11. As an articleof manufacture an adapter for engaging and interlocking with a headed artificial tooth anchor and to connect same with a suitable retaining cup, said adapter comprising filler members constructed to fit beneath the head of the anchor pin, side Walls and a cover adapted to extend over the head of the anchor pin.

12. As an article of manufacture an adapter for receiving and embracing anchor pins for artificial teeth, and comprising an extension of the pins whereby metal to metal retention may be secured with a suitable retaining cup, said adapter including members constructed to be wedged beneath the head of an anchor pin, side Walls, and a covering adapted to extend over the head of an anchor pin, substantially as described.

13. As an article of manufacture an adapter constructed to cooperate With a headed anchor pin, said adapter being provided With members to engage and interlock With the head of the anchor pin, resilient ridges on said adapter and extending outwardly therefrom whereby said adapter may be interlocked with a suitable retainmg cup.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. Q. 

